2018 NFL Mock Draft

2018 NFL Mock Draft            

Nick Gaschler

My very last Mock Draft for 2018! Hope you enjoy it as the 2018 NBA Mock Draft will be out soon with a 2019 one to follow. This contains all 32 picks for each team.

Trades

-Buffalo gives up 12, 22, 53 65, for the Broncos 5th Pick

Round One

1. Cleveland Browns-Sam Darnold-QB-USC

Tyrod Taylor may be their franchise QB apparent, but let’s be honest, Try-hard Taylor is not a franchise player. But Sam Darnold is. If Cleveland can stay at 1 and get Darnold, develop him a little bit, he can come in and be a legit Pro-Bowl player soon.

2. New York Giants-Quenton Nelson-G-Notre Dame

The Giants David Gettleman loves his big boy offensive lineman so he goes with possibly the best offensive lineman we’ve seen in quite some time. Quenton Nelson would assume the starting left tackle role and provide stability on the line for years to come.

3. New York Jets(via IND)-Baker Mayfield-QB-Oklahoma

The Jets traded up for a QB and here they get their QB. I’ve heard reports saying Baker will be the pick here and if he is, the Jets would be getting a very good franchise QB to sure up that spot for years even if it takes a year or two.

4. Cleveland Browns(via HOU)-Saquon Barkley-RB-Penn State

Sam Darnold and Saquon Barkley on the same team would be dangerous. Barkley is a once in a lifetime talent and after Indy traded down and maybe the Giants Saquon would be an easy pick for Cleveland.

5. Buffalo Bills(Proj trade w/ DEN)-Josh Allen-QB-Wyoming

The Broncos can’t get anyone they want so they trade with a desperate Buffalo who I’m sure will be pleading for the pick. Either way, this means Buffalo can get a franchise QB with the grit to play in the AFC East with 3-4 other great teams for a long time.           

6. Indianapolis Colts(via NYJ)-Bradley Chubb-DE-NC State

                 Chubb is an incredible defender and could really be an impact pick for Indy. He would for sure be there at 6 and if the Colts can get their hands on Chubb, I can see the defense improving and making the jump this season.

       

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Minkah Fitzpatrick-DB-Alabama

The Buccaneers get a defensive star in Fitzpatrick who can play either as a safety or a cornerback, though I see as a corner on the NFL level. Fitzpatrick can be a big-time corner like Ronde Barber was for the Bucs and bring them back to greatness.

8. Chicago Bears-Denzel Ward-CB-Ohio State

Denzel Ward is the top cornerback in this draft and although Kyle Fuller and Prince Amukamara are serviceable an upgrade to the secondary would make a lot of sense in strengthening a young Bears defense that can return to the 1980s glory days.  

9. San Francisco 49ers-Derwin James-S-Florida State

Derwin James would be an incredible player for San Francisco and after they added Richard Sherman at corner, this would make their defense extremely scary and put San Francisco in prime position to compete with Los Angeles.

10. Oakland Raiders-Tremaine Edmunds-LB-Virginia Tech

The second best player in this draft gets snagged by Jon Gruden and the Raiders. Tremaine would be an insane addition to the Raiders and make their defense a lot scarier. This would restore the Raiders to their old image of the bad boys.

11. Miami Dolphins-Vita Vea-DT-Washington

The Dolphins gain a great defender in Vea that will be a difference maker on defense. Vea is a huge force to anyone’s defensive line and with a gap at nose tackle, after Suh left, this would be an ideal fit for Miami.

12. Denver Broncos(Proj trade w/ BUF)-Connor Williams-OT-Texas

The Broncos drafted Garett Bolles last year, but after consistent problems on the offensive line once again, I believe the Broncos need to draft someone like Williams to put at left tackle and secure the line for the Broncos and Case Keenum.

13. Washington Redskins-Roquan Smith-LB-Washington

A dominating defensive player, Smith would be the leader at linebacker the Redskins need to be a playoff contender. Alex Smith squares away a strong offense and adding Smith to an already decent Redskins defense would make them a contender in my mind.

14. Green Bay Packers-Joshua Jackson-CB-Iowa

Secondary always seems to be a concern for the Packers and grabbing a young defensive stud in Jackson, who’s insane ball-hawking skills pulled him up, to pair with Kevin King would be a good idea to strengthen this defense and get back to the playoffs.

15. Arizona Cardinals-Josh Rosen-QB-UCLA

The Cardinals have Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon, both mediocre options. Rosen falls to 15 where the Cardinals can draft him, teach him some skills for the NFL and insert him late season when Bradford is hurt and Glennon is playing like trash.

16. Baltimore Ravens-Isaiah Wynn-OG-Georgia

The Ravens could really benefit from adding a left guard to sure up their offensive line and Isaiah Wynn looks like a top of the line option. Pairing him with perennial pro bowler Marshall Yanda may finally make Joe Flacco elite once again. But probably not.  

17. Los Angeles Chargers-Da’Ron Payne-DT-Alabama

                  Brandon Mebane doesn’t seem doable at nose tackle is it were me and I think adding an elite talent like Payne would make the Chargers a playoff team with a ferocious line that can keep up with the likes of their LA counterpart, Jacksonville, and more.

18. Seattle Seahawks-Mike Hughes-CB-UCF

                The Legion of Boom is dead. With the release of Richard Sherman, the neck injury with Kam Chancellor, and Earl Thomas’s want to be traded, they need to rebuild. Shaquill Griffin and Mike Hughes could be the next great duo and Hughes has impressed me so far.

       

19. Dallas Cowboys-Calvin Ridley-WR-Alabama

                Dez Bryant is gone. Allen Hurns is a manageable option, but adding another target for Dak to throw to would be ideal. Calvin Ridley is still a top draft prospect in my mind and even if he falls all the way down here, he could be a great pickup for the Cowboys.

20. Detroit Lions-Marcus Davenport-Edge-UTSA

The Lions need an end to help the defense. They tagged Ziggy Ansah, but adding a strong pass rusher like Davenport, who has been compared to Ansah, would be great. Given time to learn from Ansah, he could become elite.

21. Cincinnati Bengals(via BUF)-Billy Price-C-Ohio State

I’ve heard reports that the Bengals are targeting Billy Price in the first round and although I would rather have James Daniels, Price was still one of the best centers in college football for the last couple seasons and would help the Bengals in the long run.

22. New York Giants(Proj. Trade W/ BUF)-Derrius Guice-RB-LSU

Music stops. Record scratches. Wait what? Why Guice? Elway released CJ Anderson which puts running back higher on the list and although there is depth at this position, Guice would quickly become one of the best players on offense we’ve seen since Manning.  

23. New England Patriots(via LAR)-Lamar Jackson-QB-Louisville

I’ve heard reports that the Patriots really like Lamar at 23 and by my projections he’ll be there. If the Patriots draft him, I would be worried. Developing under Brady and Belichick for 2 years, it doesn’t matter who’s your next coach, Lamar will be great.

24. Carolina Panthers-Christian Kirk-WR-Texas A&M

The Panthers are in need of a WR and I truly have faith that Kirk could play both slot and outside receiver. The Panthers would be getting a weapon for Cam Newton to use and make the Panthers a favorite to win the NFC South in my mind.

25. Tennessee Titans-Rashaan Evans-LB-Alabama

               Evans is being projected as an OLB, but I believe his sideline-to-sideline ability makes it possible for him to play ILB and be successful and the Titans certainly need that. Evans would be a gamechanger on defense and make the Titans a possible favorite to win the AFC South.

26. Atlanta Falcons-Taven Bryan-DT-Florida

    The Falcons are likely to lose Dontari Poe in the offseason making DT a priority. Bryan is a slippery defensive tackle that could become a major power for the Falcons. This will possibly help the Falcons make their 3rd straight playoff appearance.

27. New Orleans Saints-Maurice Hurst-DT-Michigan

The Saints should grab Maurice Hurst to pair with Sheldon Rankins an I still believe that Hurst can be a 1st Round quality player. The defensive line would be much improved and would certainly keep the Saints in playoff contention.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers-Leighton Vander Esch-LB-Boise State

The Steelers lost Lawrence Timmons last season and they haven’t replaced him well. Vander Esch would breathe life back into an LB core that has been flattened by the losses of Timmons and Shazier. Bud Dupree, Evans, and Shazier, when he returns, will be scary.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars-DJ Moore-WR-Maryland

The Jaguars lost out on Allen Robinson and then on top of that released Allen Hurns. This puts them in the situation in which they draft DJ Moore. He’s a great WR who has the potential to be the replacement for the Jags and keep them in the top of the AFC.

30. Minnesota Vikings-Will Hernandez-OL-UTEP

Need at the offensive line is all over, save the center, for Minnesota. Adding one of my favorite linemen in the class would be great. Hernandez’s massive frame would be an ideal player for Minnesota and would make them much better.

31.New England Patriots-Sam Hubbard-DE-Ohio State

I believe the Patriots could benefit from a power like Sam Hubbard on the line. He’s one of my favorite players in the draft and after securing the QB spot for the next couple years, the defense is the next biggest need.

32. Philadelphia Eagles-Mike McGlinchey-OT-Notre Dame

The Eagles and Jason Peters are slowly coming to an end after his injury. McGlinchey right now is a natural right tackle, but if he’s able to develop for a year or two, the Eagles could have a really good player on their hands for the future.